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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is an essential device in the ceramic coffee grinder maker's arsenal. Which one should you purchase?

Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting them with blades. They're generally considered to be superior to blade grinders. What are the features you should look for in a burr mill?

1. Conical Burrs

Like its name suggests, conical burr grinders have one circular burr ring that is inside another with the teeth angled. This shape allows it to grind more efficiently as the burrs rotate around a single central point. The angled teeth are more efficient at cutting the beans evenly, and also produce less heat. This is beneficial since too much heat can cause bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs are prone to warping and becoming dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are more fragile, which means that small stones and other particles can cause damage over time. In addition flat burrs produce more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.

Many burr grinders that are sold on the market call themselves "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false burr grinders" have large, flat teeth and are often coupled with motors that have weak components that produce uneven grounds. They aren't true burr mills and contrary to what many people believe, don't produce the same quality grind as actual burr mills.

Some experts aren't convinced, but others believe that the shape and size of the burrs in a coffee grinder can influence the final flavor. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs enhance dark roasts.

It could be the case, but it is important to consider if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. Only by testing a grinder with the beans you are planning to use will you be sure. The overall design of the grinder and its operating features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. It's therefore important to consider other factors when you evaluate the grinder, including its reputation and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. It has been praised by numerous reviewers as an "time tested choice" that offers great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.

According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to grind beans. This produces more uniformly-sized grounds than a grinder, or other burr grinder. The burrs also produce less heat which preserves the bean's aroma and flavor.

Blade grinders, on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which affects the taste of the final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, however this can differ based on the model and manufacturer.

Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead of conical. These are two discs that have cutting edges facing each one. These grinders are not recommended for espresso as they can be difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more complicated than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders that we tested allow you to select the amount of time that the machine will grind, which is useful if you are brewing espresso. Others--including our top choice, the Baratza Sette 270--have a built-in intelligent timer that can provide the precision of a split second. This feature is not required for the majority of brewing methods and most burr grinders under $200 have a fancy version of a windup clock.

The most affordable models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, have manual burrs. This means you need to turn them manually yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort however, it's a good choice if you want an easy, compact, and affordable option that doesn't require electrical power.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It's louder than the other models we've tested but is still a good choice in the event that you're okay with some noise. In general, the pricier a grinder is, the quieter it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.

3. Easy to Use

A burr grinder is a device that every expert recommends for those who are just beginning to learn about home coffee making. These grinders provide a finer, more consistent ground than you get from your standard blade grinder and assist in making drinks that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They are generally more reliable. But, as you might expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upward of $200, and many are difficult to operate.

We sought advice from experts for the best electric burr grinders to use. Many people, even those on a budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with various settings that can be used to handle various brewing methods, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee machines with grinder, and it did well in our tests.

It's also quieter than other grinders that we tried, and doesn't create the same amount of heat as others do. This is crucial because excessive heat can destroy the delicate scents of your beans.

The OXO grinder has only one disadvantage that it is best burr grinder suited to grinding at the more coarse end of its range. This could be a problem for espresso. If you brew espresso, a higher-end burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better option.

Manual burr grinders powered by cranking are easy to use and are ideal for those who consume only a cup or so of coffee per day. They're a great option for people who travel or want to brew up a single portion of pour-over.

Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, is a fan of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and can produce a great coffee using any method, except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding finely enough). It's a breeze to use by anyone, as long as they don't mind the occasional mess or chaff flying around.

4. Cost

A good burr grinder can cost about a hundred dollars but it's well worth the cost. The grinding mechanism is simple enough that even a beginner can figure out how to get the most out of it, and you'll save money in the long run by ditching the pre-ground coffee grinders types and bad-for-the-environment coffee pods.

Conical burr grinders are the standard in electric home units, and they're a great choice for most people just starting out with this whole grinding-your-own-beans-at-home thing. The grinders produce a tiny amount of fines, which are tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you choose. However, this is not obvious to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs, which are basically two discs with cutting teeth facing each other They aren't as popular in home units but are preferred by serious coffee geeks for their ability to provide a uniform size of grind that is perfect for espresso and French press. They can be expensive and you may have to purchase new burrs each time you change the type of brew you use or the amount of roast.

The Baratza ESP offers the best combination of cost and capabilities for a burr grinder according to our experts. It's priced at less than $200 and is more affordable than many other models that have similar capabilities. It is equipped with a 64-mm flat brewer set that is perfect for all methods of brewing. You can easily upgrade to other sets, including those from SSP.

The OXO is another affordable option with a proven track record in our tests. The burrs on this model aren't as precise as the burrs in higher-end models, but its user interface and multiple settings work well for both French press and drip. The OXO is a great entry-level model for a lot of people. True coffee enthusiasts might prefer a more advanced model, but the OXO is a good choice for those who are.

We also tried a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their coffee by hand. They are ideal for traveling and for people who only require two or three cups of coffee at a time. These models, which utilize the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders, use a crank instead of a motor and are usually much quieter than electric units.